Virginia Women’s Basketball overcomes late deficit to take down Virginia Tech, 62-58

Head coach Tina Thompson is off to a good start against her new in-commonwealth foe in her first year at the helm of the Cavaliers after Virginia rallied from 19 down in the second half to defeat Virginia Tech. Dominique Toussaint had 19 points on 7-for-16 shooting, Brianna Tinsley added 15 with a perfect 7-for-7 night at the free throw line, and Jocelyn Willoughby had 10 points in the win.

The first quarter was tightly contested with the Hokies holding a 14-11 lead over the Hoos. Toussaint had seven of Virginia’s 11 points, but as a team they shot just 4-for-15 (27%) in the first quarter. Nine of VT’s 14 points came from beyond the arc.

Virginia Tech took a 10 point lead into half time after controlling the second quarter, 16-9. Once again the Hokies were hot from outside, connecting on 4-of-6 three point attempts in the stanza. The Hoos scored the first five points of the quarter to take a two point lead, but VT went on an 11-0 run (three threes and two free throws) to build some breathing room. Toussaint went scoreless in the second quarter and Virginia went 1-for-6 from three in the period.

An 11-2 run—capped by a three-pointer from Kendyl Brooks—put the Hokies up 41-22 with 5:54 to play. The Hoos wouldn’t cave, however. Over the next 3:07, Virginia responded with an 11-0 run as Moné Jones and Tinsley each had four points, and Toussaint added three. Tech finished the third quarter on an 8-1 run, putting the Hokies back on top by 15 (39-45) with just 10 minutes to play.

The fourth quarter was all Virginia. The Hoos opened on an 8-0 run before Taylor Emery hit a three for VT to make it a 10 point game with 6:19 to play. Willoughby connected on a three for UVA with 4:44 remaining to pull within six and kick off another 11-0 run over a 3:39 span. Two free throws from Toussaint tied the game at 54, and a layup from Lisa Jablonowski put Virginia ahead 56-54 with 1:24 left to play.

Tech evened things at 56, but Virginia wouldn’t relinquish the lead again as Toussaint put the Hoos ahead for good with :52 left. Willoughby and Tinsley hit their free throws to secure the comeback and win.

With the win, Virginia improves to 7-9 and 1-2 in conference play. Next up, the Hoos welcome NC State to town on Sunday at 2pm.